The S&S thoughts: Sincere and Silly. From the beaches of the Hawaiian shores to the Inland Empire of the Southern California landscape, to the high arches of St. Louis to the cultural history of Memphis, to where I call home now, this is my story, thoughts and hopes.

WoW TONO Thoughts

DEFINED ME ...

Some might say that I am off-the-wall, but I am right-on-the-shelf in the library under unique, Made-in-Hawaii, TONO.--July 2004

GOD'S WISDOM ...

I define true wisdom when God is magnified and glorified through His character. I am privileged to play a role with believers and stories where God and His Son is exalted! For God, be the praise and honor!--August 15, 2009

This turns out to be the #1 personal story of 2009, the pictures and the experience. It was a little more than a full week of FUN with my Sunshine. It might have been cloudy on certain days. But she was there to shine the light on the journey.

We thought we'd share the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. It was our third trip there. We circled the Mountains, and drove through part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I will work on the story ... the TONO thoughts later in the week ... in between work!

July 2014

July 27, 2014

Today is another day that I get to watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup series live.

What storyline from the start of the race come to be written true?

Will Jeff Gordon win his 5th Brickyard 400?

Will finally Ford win the first Brickyard 400 after 11 times that Chevelot has won? Or will Toyota win for the 1st time?

As a side storyline, Roush Fenway Racing announced that my favorite driver, Carl Edwards, will not be racing where he started. Where will he be driving next year? Rumors have it that he will go to Joe Gibbs Racing. If true, it will be with mixed feelings because he will be on the team with the driver who is my least favorite, Kyle Busch. Just saying.

--July 27, 2014 @ 1:20pm

So it turns out that it's the 5th win for Jeff Gordon for the Brickyard 400--and twelve in the row for a Chevrolet in Victory Lane! That is the storyline that wins out!

It could have been a first win for Toyota with the 2nd place Kyle Busch, who is not my favorite driver. So, I am glad that it didn't happen.

Carl Edwards with the Ford Motor came in 15th, and couldn't be the one who would put Ford in Victory Lane!

--July 27, 2014 @ 4:02pm

With six more races before the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, the NASCAR drivers who will be in the Chase is beginning to come into reality. This year's group qualifying for each race has given the fans a heightened interest in the sport. There is more competition. The only thing that I would like changed in the drivers who seem to be in the Chase, is I wish that Kyle Busch wasn't in, and Tony Stewart was. Let's also hope that Kyle Larson stays in the Chase, as a popular rookies. If only Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Danica Patrick can make it, then, it will create more interesting stories to follow--and, maybe there will be more heighten interest in the sport. That is definitely what NASCAR needs!

July 08, 2014

Why is it that we could be in a room full of people and still feel all alone? Why is it that we can be in church and feel the same way? We have the ability to reach out with any person where ever we are, but we can still feel alone. Why is that? What barriers are there that we cannot feel connected to someone, somewhere?

The connection is not there. In the work I learned that it's a challenge to get lasting results without that connection--trust.

How can we explain that many people on Facebook has hundreds of friends and still feel alone? Or when we post something for a little comfort or asking for tacit encouragement, and no one responds? Can anyone really explain that? This inquiring mind wants to know!

I cannot commit others to do what they will do, but I exhibit the passion to what I value and believe. I cannot force others to reach out; I can respond in the most appropriate way to reflect the legacy and vision I have in mind.

These are my conclusions.

I learned that we have to do everything possible to bring to surface the best of what we can be!

I have to be a viable to provide wisdom, guidance to the best path to inspire others to make their dreams come through!

There are a vision that I have for everyone that I meet.

I want everyone to reach their full potential. We always give everyone the creative tools to create the dreams that they desire.

I read in many publications and blogs that many readers are not happy by reading social media, how others are having a good time, and the readers are depressed because they are not having a good and they are envious on the ones that have the fun times. I reject this thinking, by challenging myself to discover what these people did to make their dreams come true. If they were successful to make their dreams come true, why can't I?

From a posting in December 2012, I am added another layer to what skills are need for present-day jobs. I have noticed so many companies changing many things about their brand just to gain market share in their industry. This is the norm moving forward. If companies don't adapt, they will lose market share and stop earning profits. For those who have worked with me, may not believe that I want what is stated above. As I noticed I will demand high standards for the places where I work. I will not accept anything less. My passion to attain the highest results reigns for whom I work for.

July 05, 2014

There are so many people who are screaming quietly within themselves asking their friends and family: Don't give up in me! It's a cry for help. Yet we so often don't hear the cry or worse, ignore what we do hear.

We are designed to have fellowship with others, to want be loved and accepted. This is what all the postings on social media to present a certain personal branding is all about. It's about the legacy that we leave behind.

When people are going through a difficult time, or crisis, the time is to work through those moments to comfort, encourage and inspire to live through the values that is dear to each individual. We need to sustain them to continue to live up to their individual core values.

I don't expect others to agree 100% with me! but I expect others to continue to have a meaningful dialogue with me. That is why I have chosen to add Twitter as another social media platform. I hope that you will join me in the process for my personal branding of Nicholas (NichTONO). Mahalo!